‘Usis’ turn hostage drama into potential COVID-19 super spreader event

The recent hostage taking incident in Caloocan City was turned into a potential super spreader as onlookers flocked the scene last Friday amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said the incident resulted in an unnecessary mass gathering. Social distancing measures were also not observed.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año already ordered the local government unit to conduct contact tracing to prevent the further spread of the virus.

“Dapat tutukan ‘yan ng barangay at baka magkaroon ng transmission diyan ng Delta variant,” he said.

Meanwhile, Caloocan Police chief Police Colonel Samuel Mina Jr. said the police did not lack in trying to tell residents to observe minimum health protocols.

“But the main focus of the PNP during that time was to rescue the victim and to neutralize the hostage taker. Pinapauwi na sila pero talagang matigas ang ulo to the point na na-di-distract ‘yong negotiation doon sa hostage taker,” he added.

The suspect, victim, police responders and the onlookers will undergo antigen testing on Tuesday, the city government said.

On Friday, police arrested 32-year-old Anthony Soriano after he held hostage a teenage boy along C-3 Road in Barangay 14.

Based on CCTV footage, the victim was just walking on the road with his family when Soriano grabbed and pointed a knife at him.

Soriano will face charges for serious illegal detention and attempted murder. –Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB GMA News

‘Usis’ turn hostage drama into potential COVID-19 super spreader event
Source: Filipino Viral News PH